In a world that requires environmental restoration, businesses are increasingly embracing sustainability as a core value. Transitioning to a sustainable approach is no longer just a trend; it is a necessity. At TAP, we are committed to positive change, and collaborating with Earthly to support nature-based solutions is another step on our sustainability journey.

Reflecting on my own journey, my environmental consciousness has been a constant in my life, but it became undeniably clear to me that our climate was growing increasingly extreme in 2018. During this year, I vividly recall bringing the cows in for feed in August, as the grass had withered away to nothing.

The well-worn paths were so dry and cracked that I was coughing on the dust kicked up by the cows.

That September, as I embarked on my university journey, torrential rain wreaked havoc, leading to flash flooding that rendered travel impossible. This juxtaposition of unbearably hot and dry, to sudden deluges highlighted the unsettling reality of our shifting weather patterns.

That is why I am particularly excited about the diverse range of projects TAP is able to support, spanning from woodland restoration to harnessing the potential of our oceans. Take, for example, our contribution to the Eden Reforestation Project in Madagascar, which combines reforestation with poverty reduction. Our support, in the form of nine mangrove trees, not only serves as powerful carbon sinks but also offers crucial storm surge protection and helps restore habitats for a variety of wildlife. 

Closer to home, we are supporting ground-breaking research on seaweed farming. Before researching seaweed for this blog, I had never realised its immense potential. It had always been nothing more than a nuisance my cousins and I encountered while exploring rock pools on Llantwit Major Beach.

Biome Algae is a company with a creative approach that not only investigates carbon removal solutions through seaweed but also pioneers bio-alternatives in packaging, fuel, cattle feed, and fertiliser. Seaweed, often underestimated, holds immense potential as a tool for carbon sequestration.

What's remarkable is that seaweed farming requires minimal resources – no land, fertilizers, fresh water, or feed – and generates no waste.  By aligning with universities, research institutes, and industries, Biome Algae is leading a sustainable movement that reduces carbon and methane emissions while exploring the potential of oceans and seaweeds. It's thrilling to discover the inventive approaches people are taking to help our environment, some of which I would never have imagined.

The Culm Moor Woodland Reserve is a personal favourite of mine, as I grew up on a forestry commission. The Culm Moor Reserve, once an abandoned dairy farm, is now developing into a diversified, natural woodland within the North Devon Biosphere Reserve. This project is about more than just planting trees; it's about creating thriving habitats for local species.

A contiguous broadleaf forest is being developed by joining existing woodland fragments. This project not only protects many species but also provides a safe refuge for birds, pollinators, animals, and unique lichen and mosses. In 2023, we provided 43 trees for this project.

These projects represent just a snapshot of our ongoing commitment as a B-Corp company to a greener, more sustainable future. And if you're interested in some intriguing stats, did you know that the 52.02 tonnes of carbon we've removed equates to 208 hours of flying? Explore this and more about the projects we support on the Earthly website:  https://teams.earthly.org/profile/The-Ad-Plain